THE RUNDOWN
DBU (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season in a close three sets to Harding (4-0). The Lady Patriots match the 2010 squad for best four-game start in program history.
 
Things were looking up for DBU in the opening stages of the match. The Lady Patriots went ahead 11-3 and extended their advantage to as many as a dozen. However, the Lady Bisons found a rhythm in the second half of the first frame and took the set 25-23.
 
DBU again jumped out to an early lead in set two, with Delaney Fuller pioneering a 10-3 start with three kills and two aces in the stretch. Harding climbed back into the game, tying the game at 12 points apiece. The opponents then traded short runs, and five straight points gave the Lady Patriots a chance at taking the set, 24-22. The Lady Bisons leveled the score before stealing it in deuce play.
 
Price Reeves took control in the third set with three consecutive kills as part of a 7-3 beginning for the Lady Patriots. DBU maintained a slim margin until Harding broke a 13-13 tie. The tide shifted in favor of the Lady Bisons and stayed there until the Lady Patriots ultimately fell five points shy of swiping the final frame.

Daylee Doggett (team-high 45 digs, .973 reception percentage) and Delaney Fuller (team-high 56 kills, .246 hitting percentage) were named to the Patriot Classic All-Tournament Team as voted upon by the head coaches.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU remains winless in their six meetings with Harding.
- The Lady Patriots recorded at least seven aces in all four matches of the Patriot Classic. 
- In her debut weekend, freshman Karly Wells amassed 27 kills on 72 attempts a hitting percentage of .250.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
.200 - Both teams hit below .200 in the match.
50 - Delaney Fuller eclipsed 50 kills over the weekend. She sits at 56 total.
93 - DBU outscored their opponents by a total of 93 points over their opening four matches.
 
HEAD COACH JORDAN FISH ON OPENING WEEKEND
"Overall, we played really well for opening weekend. We have a great group, and I am excited to see what this group can do as we continue to compete."
 
UP NEXT
The Lady Patriots return to action next weekend at the Maverick Fall Classic hosted by Colorado Mesa. Their first game of the tournament is at 10:30 a.m. CT against Sioux Falls. Read Full Article